T.I. ‘Agrees’ With Fans Frustrated By His Prison Return

“To all of you who say, ‘He should practice what he preaches,’ and ‘How could he do something so stupid … AGAIN?’ You’re absolutely right, and I couldn’t agree with you more,” wrote T.I. in a recent press release from prison in Arkansas.

Here at RapFix it’s been all Welcome Home Weezy but elsewhere, hip-hop suffered the loss of another one of its stars to the department of corrections.

On Thursday (November 4), T.I. issued his first major statement from behind bars. Tip, who headed back to a low-security federal penitentiary in Arkansas on Monday to serve an 11-month sentence for probation violations, posted messages on his website on Wednesday and Thursday. His words demonstrated how the Atlanta native feels about being back in prison for the second time in such a short time and what he thinks about fan reaction to his video with Chris Brown for “Get Back Up.”

“But you know what? As history has shown us before, I find my greatest inspiration during my darkest hours,” the King of the South continued. “So all fans of music, T.I. or not, should be able to agree that No Mercy will surely be my best work yet. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about? If I never went to prison, never did drugs, never f’ed up again, did everything right and never made great music … would you even care enough to comment on T.I.? Doubt it, so bear that in mind while you jump to your conclusions, guys. Martin Luther King once said, ‘Notice not the comments of your enemies but the silence of your friends.’ So although I’m still in touch … watching, reading and listening, I’m not concerned with what negative people say more than I am with what positive people don’t.”

Earlier this week, Tip announced that his upcoming album No Mercy (formerly called King Uncaged)—which many wondered if the LP would still hit shelves this year—will drop December 7. The rapper’s seventh album and first release since 2008’s double-platinum Paper Trail features guest spots from Kanye West, Eminem, Chris Brown, The-Dream and Christina Aguilera. The disc boasts production from Dr. Luke (“Magic,” “Right Round”), Danja (“My Love,” “Knock You Down”) and Jim Jonsin (“Whatever You Like,” “Lollipop”).

“This album represents some of my best work inspired by my most recent best and worst life experiences,” Tip said in an earlier message on his site. “They say adversity brings forth inspiration so y’all can imagine how inspired I’ve been during the recording process for this album. I’ve been taking stock of myself and digesting everyone’s comments and criticisms. Now it’s my turn to express myself and take you into my mind. The real won’t hate and the truth won’t wait! If God is with me who can be against me.”

Are you excited for the release of T.I.’s No Mercy? Tweet us at @MTVRapFixor leave a comment below!